We all know ESPN is a joke of an organization, but they decided to up it with this. Celtics are almost assuredly of being a powerhouse for several years in the East, many finals appearances are likely. Their only real contention is Philly, and they might be a formidable one. Meanwhile, the Lakers are as of today, not even a playoff team. We're not getting a Lebron/Lakers - Irving/Celtics Finals, ever. Ever.
If lakers trade for kawhi they gut the team. If the lakers dont get kawhi their team plus james is nothing too special Its win win
I would have to disagree if they don't gut the team and keep what they have in kuzma, and ingram they can be a well above avg team most would move them up from 9th seed to the top 4 easy.
Well, it's debatable, right? If you take Lebron off both teams which team is better? Lakers have talented players but they haven't produced yet. Cavs have solid vets that you know what you get from. Like if the Rockets signed Hill right now I doubt many people would be mad at that signing.
Speaking of this Amin Elhassan was on NBA Radio at about 8:30pm CST and mentioned that ESPN was tipped off hours before by a number of sources asking when the Jump was going off the air tonight so that the announcement could be close to it. ESPN has been campaigning for LeBron to go to LA since free agency started. You darn well know that they will be moving more people over to LA to supplement their coverage of LeBron’s time there, it’s a guarantee.
Man, ClutchFans is salty tonight. You can love the Rockets while recognizing that **** just got very real in the West.
These two teams were 3 and 4 last year both had much better records than one would have thought and hard to beat givin what the lakers have added there are right there with them. Portland Trail Blazers (49-33) Oklahoma City Thunder (48-34)
LeBron the ring chaser is officially dead. This was a lifestyle move with a retirement check. I thought Houston would get him, if the Lakers didn't grab a big name FA or trade for one. It's not entirely a bad move for LeBron. The Lakers have a lot blue chippers in Ingram, Ball, Randle, Kuzma, and Caldwell-Pope. They could grab another talent, like Cousins or Noel. The West is markedly much tougher than the East. But, it's not that much tougher, all of the teams after GS, Houston, and Utah are barely 50 win teams. Even in the East, those teams still roughly 50 win teams, I don't think those teams would be above Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto and possibly Indiana. So in one regard, there was a chance Cleveland would not have gotten out of the East against the teams mentioned. They had a knockdown drag out fight against Boston who were missing two all stars, yet reached the conference Finals with rookies and took Cleveland to 7 games. Philly is another that will probably get better. Even, Indiana who is another improving young team is essentially one go-to player away from being a Eastern conference contender. They almost beat Cleveland, too. I have to disagree with the consensus thought that Bron is giving up 4-5 Finals appearance. It wouldn't have been guaranteed. I don't think he will reach the Finals with the Lakers, right now. They are the quintessential WIP. There are two monster teams that they have to surpass, along with other young good teams.
I am just waiting for the Lakers to destroy all the salary cap flexibility they have before creating a team good enough to beat GS or HOU.
What is the best offer the Lakers have made for Kawhi? This is not too bad if Kawhi goes to the East, but if he goes to LA, then the Rockets should blow it up. The only person who would challenge the LAL and GSW then is an East super team with Giannis... Silver should have vetoed the KD trade, proves how little nba players care about competing.
u know that lbj signed for 4 yrs w LAL; this means LAL can wait it out on Kawhi. this way, LAL get to keep their core of youngsters. after this coming season, these 2 FA will likely sign w them: Klay Thompson (his father played for LAL and is their Radio analyst) & Kawhi Should this play out, w all the youngster developed under LeBron, he will have a Super team w LAL for at least 3 yrs